Barred rock chicks 4 1/4 weeks

[Mcv206]

These 4 are 4 1/2 weeks. I’ve been told they are all cockerels, but they are pretty dark. They are getting a reddish color in the comb area which is concerning. I have no idea, but I need to figure out a roo plan if I have one. It’s driving me nuts.

 

[Gooseface]

It’s super early still. Probably too early to tell. But if I was going to take a stab at it, I would say bird #3 is a cockerel and the others pullets. #3 seems to have more comb, redder, and a lighter feather color. But I really don’t know. I’m just guessing.

 

[Acre4Me]

barred genes help ID gender. A male gets 2 copies of the barred gene, so the white bars are wider. Wider white bars makes for a lighter colored chicken. Of course, if they are all the same gender, than its hard to see a difference!

What source for the chicks?

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

I have a very pretty barred rock/ australorp mix that looks very much like your girls. Her darker bars are just a few shades darker than my pure barreds. If thats the case I would say pullets as australorps have pretty big combs and wattles even on hens.

 

[Gooseface]

My pbr have dark legs too. Guess I got a mongrel....

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

My pbr have dark legs too. Guess I got a mongrel....

Now that im outside looking at them. Mine have darker legs as well

 

[Mcv206]

I figured I’d update. They were all pullets, even my silkies. I got lucky.

 

[gimmie birdies]

IDK your chicks do look pretty dark for boys, I had 2 barred rocks I ordered from Meyers an worried for the first 6 weeks or more if they were boys and then they were girls. I wasted 6 weeks.

 

[citymeetscountry]

This was our BR boy from when we got him to about 4 weeks (for a comparison for you)